Disclaimer: I don't own any of Tolkien's creations, I just like to play in Middle Earth.

Summary: In the aftermath of a failed mission, Legolas returns to the stronghold and must carry on as a captain, a prince, and a son. A story about finding hope and faith in the face of despair.

Author's Note: Onto the final chapter! I'm going to work on review replies after I post this, but I wanted to thank everyone who has taken the time to review here, especially guests to whom I cannot personally reply.

Chapter 5

Sunlight streamed through the windows when Legolas woke the next morning. He could hear the distant sounds of others at work and knew he had slept in late, far later than he had in a long time. His father was gone, the chair he had used last night back in its rightful place by the wall and any evidence of his nighttime vigil put away.

He stood and stretched, testing the limits of the wound in his side and was pleasantly surprised with the improvement in the range of motion he found. He would be ready to leave as soon as tomorrow, which was good, because it would likely prove necessary.

He dressed and braided his hair quickly before making his way back to the warrior's quarters to finish the assignments. Galathil was there waiting for him.

"Good morning," the other elf said brightly, "I don't know about you, but it has been months since I slept that well."

"Aye," Legolas responded, "Don't get used to it though, have you seen what we have coming up?"

"No," Galathil answer, "I arrived only a moment ago and have not yet started looking over what you finished last night."

Settling into chairs across from each other, Legolas picked up the partially finished assignments and started checking off names on the rosters. Well-rested and working together, they made relatively quick work the task, and were finished in only a few hours.

Legolas considered the last list in his hand before handing it to Galathil, who reviewed it quickly and nodded, "I think that covers everything."

"Without having to rush any of the novice classes," Legolas said with satisfaction, standing up and going to the door with the lists. He handed them to an attendant who was posted outside, "Take these to the King's Council right away, they are waiting for them."

Galathil watched his friend come back in and sit down at the table, "You don't have to go?"

"No, I am free for the day, my father excused me from attending the council meetings last night."

"Did he go with you to the healing wings?"

Legolas looked away, and did not answer.

"Legolas! You promised."

"I didn't," Legolas answered, "I never actually said I would go. It is fine, Galathil."

"You'll forgive me if I don't trust you on this particular issue."

"It was cleaned, stitched, and bandaged. My father helped me, you can ask him yourself."

Galathil snorted, "As close as I am to the king, I don't think I'll be having that particular conversation with him."

"It feels much better today, truly," Legolas replied seriously, "just a bit stiff. And sitting in this chair isn't helping. Today has been too idle for my taste, are you up for some sparring?"

"Always," Galathil answered readily.

"Don't take it easy on me," Legolas warned as they walked to the training fields, "The wound is fine and we both leave tomorrow. I doubt the orcs will hold back out of consideration for me."

Galathil grinned, "I had no intention of going easy on you. I am a well-trained warrior and I know how to press any advantage—I intend to win today. If for no other reason, than to prove you should have seen the healers."

They spent the next few hours training, the afternoon passing quickly. Despite Galathil's promises, he had taken it easy on Legolas, ensuring that the recovering elf did not have to overextend himself. By the afternoon's end, they were both breathing heavily and their matches were ending in ties. Both were tired, but content. Finally, they lowered their weapons for the last time.

Legolas turned his eyes skyward, tracking the sun's progress across the sky, "The council should have reviewed the assignments by now. I assume they were approved, but I still wish to go and check."

"I think it is safe to assume they won't want to redo it, and we need them starting tomorrow," Galathil noted.

"Yes, will you be ready to leave by then?"

"I am always ready, my lord, but I do wish to return home for the evening. One full night's sleep was wonderful, but I am quite excited at the prospect of two in a row," Galathil bowed once more before turning to leave. "See you in the morning, Legolas." He turned for home.

"Farewell!" Legolas called, turning and heading toward the palace. He moved through the halls swiftly, heading for his father's study. The attendant outside bowed to him before turning and announcing his presence to his father.

Legolas bowed his head as he entered, "Adar."

The king surveyed his son critically, "I heard you were sparring this afternoon, you look well."

"I am. I was a bit stiff this morning, but moving helped. Thank you for your assistance last night."

"You never need to thank me for that, Legolas, I am glad you are well." Thranduil stood and grabbed the rosters from a table to the side of his desk, he handed them to Legolas, "All approved. Your ingenuity showed—you were able to cover all of the patrols despite our current situation."

Legolas nodded, pleased, "I did not want to accelerate the training of the novices. That is a last resort."

"Clearly," his father answered, "Your warriors and you have a busy schedule coming up."

"It was the only way," Legolas replied.

Thranduil nodded his understanding, if not his approval, "There is nothing else pressing enough to require your attention this evening. Go and get what rest you can."

Legolas turned to leave, but hesitated, "Adar," he began cautiously, "Does all of this now seem normal to you?"

At his son's serious tone, Thanduil put his quill down to give Legolas his full attention, "What do you mean?"

"I mean," Legolas paused to consider his words, "I have been thinking about what Galdor said yesterday."

Thranduil thought back to the meeting yesterday, and his advisor's thoughtless words, it seems we are only capable of sacrifice and not victory. "Legolas," Thranduil began, "Galdor often speaks without considering his words, you must not take them personally."

"I know, Ada, but…but what he said feels true. I do not know what more we can do, but lately our battles with the darkness have not gone well. I have no doubts in the abilities of our warriors, but where we have skill and fortitude, they have seemingly unending numbers. How many more immortal lives must be lost, must be sacrificed?"

"I do not know, my son," Thranduil replied softly, "And every loss weighs on me as well.

"How many must be lost?" Legolas asked emphatically, "How many must fall?"

"I have not the foresight to answer that. Legolas, if you need time, if you need a break, it has been years since you travelled to Imladris, no one would begrudge you—"

"No," Legolas said firmly, "I could find no rest even in that peaceful place if I knew I was needed here. I am well, truly, I just—I just sometimes wonder when this will all end, how it can all end when neither side will yield."

"Dark days such as these always feel unending to those who live in them. They will end, my son, I know not how or when, but they will."

Legolas nodded, "I ride out tomorrow."

"I know, I do not think I will be able to meet you before you go."

Legolas dismissed his father's worries, "The council meets early tomorrow, does it not? It is well, I would much rather face orcs and spiders then your councilors that early in the morning."

Thranduil laughed as he stood from his desk and approached his son, wrapping him in a firm embrace, "I do not say it often enough," he said, holding his son, "I am proud of you and I appreciate what you so selflessly do for our people. I could ask for no better son in times such as these, I would only ask for better times for you."

Legolas returned his father's grasp, "I am who I am because of you, Adar."

They separated, Thranduil returning to his desk and Legolas turning to leave.

Sitting down, Thranduil called out to his son, "Never forget that you are my hope, and you inspire our people to continue this fight even when they think as you are now. Be safe."

Legolas paused at the door, bowing slightly, "I will come back."

The next morning, Legolas studied the map in the Captain's Room of the Warrior's Quarters. It tracked the movements of both their own patrols and the enemy. He raised his hand to the map and traced his finger along the line that demarcated the edge of their control. His people had fought and died to protect this line, and try to shift it south, for nearly a year now. The orcs had entrenched themselves in this area. It shifted slightly south or slightly north as each side mounted offensive strikes, but neither side had been able to find way to maintain any ground gained.

Galathil approached him, "We are ready when you are."

Legolas nodded without turning. His pointed to a spot not far from where they had engaged the enemy before, "We'll make camp here this time. It should offer a slightly better vantage point."

Coming closer, Galathil also studied the map, "Does it ever seem to you that this war will never end? We have fought over this particular line for so long now, and while we keep them from pushing north, we cannot push south. Are we doomed to spend the coming centuries standing guard over this line?"

"I does feel unending," Legolas answered seriously, "We were still children when this forest last saw peace. I never would have guessed at how long the darkness would last nor how strong it would grow when it first appeared. When our training turned from play to preparation for a war that was happening. But we will win. Maybe not today, maybe not even this century, but we will not fail."

"Are you truly that confident?" Galathil asked.

"Yes," Legolas replied without hesitation, "We will win because we must, because there is no other alternative, because we will not suffer defeat. We will see our home restored, we will remember those we have lost, and we will live in freedom."

Galathil grinned at him, "You are certainly a prince."

Legolas chuckled, turning away from the map, "Let's go."

The moved into the courtyard. The other warriors were already mounted and ready, awaiting their captain. Legolas considered each of them carefully. Many of them looked tired, many of them were also only recently released from the healing wards. This kingdom asked so much of its people.

Legolas pulled himself on top of his horse, settling in for the ride. He did not need to ask if his warriors were ready; he already knew the answer. "Let's not keep our enemy waiting."

Closing note: And that's all! As I said, there wasn't much plot, but I hope you enjoyed it. My goal was to capture life in Mirkwood during a very trying time. I have another short story that I'm working on now. It may be a while before I post it because real life is going to be pretty hectic for the next couple of months, but we'll see! Please leave a review and let me know what you thought!

Best,

Cool Breeze